A lot of people seem to be describing digestive difficulties since the Holiday weekend. And this is just the beginning of the Season to Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
So, if you are suffering now, ask Santa for an early gift of digestive enzymes. Even if you normally take acid blockers or antacids, you need digestive enzymes. Don’t get the chewable papaya ones. They taste great, but then won’t do the job and mostly just handle protein. And the added sugar probably defeats most of the purpose. Sugar lowers your stomach acid, so interferes with protein digestion.
Look for digestive enzymes that help break down carbohydrate, protein and fat. The label will say Amylase, Protease and Lipase. If the enzyme product also has Betaine hydrochloride, even better.
You can take a couple between meals to get rid of that “over-stuffed” feeling. Then start taking two supplements at every meal. Keep on taking them throughout the Holiday season. Don’t stop January first. Most Americans are eating too few real foods that contain any enzymes, so we all need digestive help.
If you have a gut, or your waist size is bigger than your hip size, you have a muffin top, or need to lose more than five pounds, you need digestive enzymes. You can also had in probiotics. Enzymes are for the stomach digestion and probiotics work in the intestine. There seems to be a lot of confusion about this. The human stomach needs enzymes and hydrochloric acid and the gut/intestine needs probiotics.
Organic Apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon in cup of warm water before meals, can also help. Eating foods that contain live cultures, like Kefir and unsweetened yogurt, can help. Real sauerkraut is good, as is Kombucha.
Meanwhile, to end the bloating, don’t combine bread and protein or fruit and protein. Eat protein only with vegetables. Eat fruit alone. Try skipping the bread altogether, or switch to gluten-free. “Food For Life” is my favorite brand. Eat lettuce wraps instead of sandwiches.
Many people can wean off acid blockers by going on the right digestive enzymes. If you have an ulcer, don’t add hydrochloric acid, but use enzymes that contain amylase, protease and lipase. Most of us need more digestive help, not less.
Try to slow down when you eat. If you arrive at a party stressed and hungry, have some water first. Take some deep breaths. Nibble on something and wait a bit for your blood sugar to come up so you don’t binge. There is a long month of feasting ahead. Decide beforehand what kinds of things you will indulge in. For example, choose bread or dessert, but not both.
Holiday pleasures can come in small doses, and digestive enzymes will help you keep up with the feasting. This way you can spread some Holiday cheer in the direction of your digestion. Your stomach will be merrier for it.